IAF: Unleashing Youth Power!

(International Youth Day Special)

By Rananjay Anand

On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of the Ministers, responsible for Youth, (Lisbon, 8-12 August, 1998), that 12 August be declared International Youth Day (IYD).

Exactly before two years from now, in August 2009, a group was created on a Social Networking Site Facebook, with a humble name "India-Armenia Friendship" with an intention to gather like-minded people and have a proper interaction between its people to bridge the gap created in the course of history. 

Two years have passed since then. You all have been there. You loved it, you celebrated it, you enjoyed it, you fought for it, you struggled for it, you made new friends, and you showed your anger and complaints too, i.e in a nutshell, a wholesome amalgamation of two different cultures with all colors of emotions and feelings. You have witnessed IAF's great journey so far, by being the part of this Caravan.

Now exactly after two years, I'm proud to announce IAF in its Physical Avatar. A real transformation from Facebook based virtual group to a legally existing NGO in Armenia. My dear friends, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you all by announcing that your virtual IAF has been legally registered as "Indo-Armenian Friendship" NGO in Armenia. From now onward August 12 will be celebrated by us as "IAF Founding Day" every year. This is the real transformation of Youth Power.

The International Youth Day (IYD) is something special this year. "Change Our World" has been chosen as the theme for IYD 2011 as it not only expresses the level of impact that young people strive to achieve, but also reflects the notion of a Global Citizenship. IAF envisages the same Global Perspective of having a Global Platform for Youth from every corner of the world, to come together and change the world. This inspired us to form "Society For Promotion Of Global Understanding"  aka (SPGU), based in India, armed with its country specific chapters through collaborations and creations around Globe. And IAF being the first country specific arm of SPGU, is exactly the "Torch-Bearer" of this theme excellently.

The world is facing myriad of problems: Poverty, Hunger, Unemployment, Natural Calamities, Global Warming, Clash of different cultures, sects & religions, and the list goes endless..Who will be facing this?? Can we afford to sit idle?? As young people we must realize that we are the ones who will be affected tomorrow by today's decision. Do we need to approach Problem to Solution or is it Solution to Problem approach  for all solution?? To my mind we must strive for the later case. 

It is our latent and creative ideas or voices, that will shape the future; We are Young, active and full of energy, we embrace challenges and are open to new and different experiences. With our intense desire for positive change, we have the ability to move beyond the geography and time restrictions and are undoubtedly the dynamic group of people that are the primary enablers of the Social Change. We need to unleash the untapped potential.

We hereby request to all those who can be our stakeholders to realize the theme this year and work together to ensure that policies and processes are in place to provide continuous investments in youth, to encourage youth mind to participate and take the challenge head-on and to improve the Intercultural Understanding among youth. IAF would like to continue with the spirit of IYD forever.

We, the Youth need support and encouragement from all around; be it Government, Corporate Houses, Private sector businesses, National and International Foundations, Philanthropists, Civil Society Organizations or other Stakeholders, we want to see them to work with us for a sustainable future. Youth need to be included at all levels of Decision-making to ensure that their need are met. This will provide the solution.

Let's dream a world, World of Togetherness. Come, join and be the force to reckon with.

To See The Change, Be The Change!

Embassy of India organized an Evening of Film show and IAF Conference in Yerevan

By Nelly Manucharyan

11 July, 2011 - 18:30 - 21:30

---

Nairi Hall, Hotel Ani Plaza, Yerevan, Armenia

The Embassy of India in Armenia recently held the evening of Film show followed by Indian Armenian Friendship group (IAF) Conference and some cultural programs, which included dance show (Indian and Armenian) and Tabla Play. Chief Guest was Ambassador of India in Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra.

The program of the event consisted of two parts: first part included documentary film show about ”Terrorism in contemporary world”,  presented by the Embassy and second part was the presentation of the Armenian Indian Friendship group’s creation history and future visions, presented by the founder of the group- Mr. Rananjay Anand.

During the first part of the meeting Ambassador of India in Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra spoke about the harmful and dangerous causes of the terrorism in contemporary world, and the efforts which should be made to prevent the expansion and development as well as its harmful impact on our generation. Mr. Ambassador also congratulated IAF members on the building of the cultural bridge between Armenia and India and the solidarity of two countries that it can develop in the future.

  

H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra, Hon. Ambassador of India to RA, 

addressing the IAF members
(Please Click here for Speech video)

During the second part of the Evening Mr Rananjay Anand , the founder of IAF, introduced to the audience the "Society for Promotion of Global Understanding" (SPGU) and its ARMENIA CHAPTER "Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO". He spoke about the missions and visions of the future NGO.

IAF Co-Founder & President Mr. Rananjay Anand

introducing IAF to its members

The participant’s attention was invited to 2 special editions of Namaste India magazine released by Embassy of India. 1^st one is a collection of love stories from India translated into Armenian. 2^nd one is a collection of poems for little children written by Prof. Anita Verma and translated into Armenian by Hripsime Nersisyan and illustrated by Andranik Asatryan’s paintings.

Prof. Anita Verma

Two Special Editions of NAMASTE INDIA

The cultural programs of the evening presented dance show of India and Armenian national dances, each dance pictured the beauty of Armenian and Indian women’s world. 

First performance was an Indian dance performed by an Armenian professional dancer Gayane. The dance is called “Nimbudah” which means a small lemon. It’s one of traditional songs of Rajastan State,  well known from a movie  "HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM" The film heroine sings to  her loved one about lemon and asks him to  bring the lemon so that the lemon would save them both from evil and jealous people.

IAF Solidarity

Next performance was an Armenian national folk dance performed by an Armenian beauty Mariam Azizyan. The dance is called “Bardavari” or “Vardavari”. It was performed by Armenian women since ancient times all over historical Armenia showing the grace and the gentleness of the Armenian woman. 

Dancers Mariam (Left) & Gayane (Right) with Hripsime

And finally the audience had an opportunity to get in touch with Indian miracle – the music of Tabla, by Armenian Tabla Player Karen. An armenian who spent most part of his life - almost 30 years practicing hatha yoga. Moreover he plays an Indian national instrument Tabla for more than 25 years. His passion led him to Moscow where he started learning Tabla playing from 7 Gurus at the embassy of India in Moscow.

Armenian Tabla Player Karen, mesmerizing IAF audience with his musical magic

At the end of the meeting one of the participants, famous Armenian-Indian singer Radhe Shyam (original name Dustrik Babayan) expressed her grattitude for the meeting and her will to present a song to IAF co-founders. She performed a Hindi song called "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko."

General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of ICCR

ICCR (INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS ) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. The Council helps formulate and implement policies pertaining to India’s external cultural relations, to foster mutual understanding between India and other countries and to promote cultural exchanges with other peoples.

One of the major activities of the ICCR is its scholarship programme. The ICCR annually offers about 2325 scholarships under 21 scholarship schemes.

The embassy of India in Armenia is authorized to conduct The General Cultural Scholarship Scheme in  Armenia.GCSS is one of the most important and popular schemes of the ICCR for foreign students.

Scholarships are awarded under this scheme annually to international students belonging to certain Asian, African and Latin American countries for the undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and for pursuing research at Indian universities. However, scholarships for medical studies for MBBS, BDS or for medical research leading to a Ph.D. degree are not offered under the GCSS scheme. Within the framework of this program there are 2 slots for meritorious students from Armenia to study under graduate/post graduate courses in Arts, Science, Engineering, Indian classical dance, music and fine arts in educational institutions in India.

The candidates should have fluent knowledge of English.  The selected candidates will be given a monthly scholarship, book allowance, hostel accommodation subject to availability and reimbursement of tuition fees.  However, the candidates will have to bear their own international air passage from Armenia to India and back. 

You can find all needed information with these links below:

Application Form for Scholarships for Foreign Students, 2011
Guidelines for ICCR Scholarship Holders, 2011
List of Universities Recognised by the University Grants Commission of India
Scholarship Terms for Different Courses


The scholarships are usually announced in the month of December for ensuing academic year.  Please watch for announcements.  Meanwhile, for The General Cultural Scholarship Scheme interested candidates may contact Embassy of India on any working day between 10:00 am - 17:00 pm.

For other scholarship schemes offered by ICCR  you have to contact the ICCR directly.

Scholarship opportunities in India

Many of the young members of our Indo-Armenian society are interested whether there is an opportunity to study in India and what is the procedure for that. To meet this need we are going to provide you with all needed information about each program. Meanwhile we would appreciate all those who have already taken any of these opportunities to share their experience with applicants in order to help them to orientate better.

The Government of India offers 3 types of scholarship programs for Armenian citizens which can be implemented at the Indian embassy in Armenia. Also a memorandum of understanding was signed between The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and  Indian National Science Academy on scientific cooperation.

We are going to introduce to you each program in separate posts:


General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of ICCR

Scholarship offer from the Government of India 

CTS-2011: Country of Talking Stones

On 25-26 May, 2011 International Tourism Fair was held in Marriott Hotel Yerevan, Armenia.

CTS2011 is an international event focused on the development of regional tourism.The event is organized by the Armenian Association of Travel Agents (AATA) and Armenian Chapter of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) under the patronage of RA Ministry of Economy with the support of the Armenian-German cooperation program (GTZ) and the Union of Armenia Hotels

Travel agencies and tour operators, airlines, hotels and resorts, insurance companies, public and non-governmental organizations, tourism publications, information agencies, educational institutions, restaurants, organizations supporting tourism sector and leading brandy and wine producers participate in the Fair from different country.

Wishing good luck to YSMU students

Dear Friends,

Today is a significant day for some of our group members - Students of the last grade of Yerevan State Medical University. They complete their education today and knock the door of a new phase in their professional life.

Let's wish them good luck and success not only in career but also in personal life. The IAF sincerely hope that wherever their life takes them, they will never forget Armenia and those years spent here will remain in their mind and hearts.

We urge all of those members to keep abreast with IAF updates and if possible always be ready to volunteer the cause of IAF.

Wish you all a very good luck.

OUR NEW PAGE IN FACEBOOK

Dear Friends, as FACEBOOK is archiving all Old Groups soon, so we will soon be converted into New Group, in which we might lose connections with each others. As a SOLUTION, we have created this FAN PAGE where we all can be connected to each others. Also we will have information, who is posting what at each postings. Please Join in great number and invite your friends too to join this. 

 

 India-Armenia Friendship (IAF)

 

It's been indeed a great journey of solidarity for India-Armenia friendship and we hope it will take us towards creating a history of Mutual love and respect at the most grass-root level too.

Looking forward to see you all there.

Long live INDIA-ARMENIA FRIENDSHIP